Columbus, Georgia

Minutes for the Meeting of the

Public Safety Advisory Commission

October 27, 2004





Present members of Advisory Commission: Councilor Wayne Anthony, Robert Turner,

Charles Kurtz, Robert Loving, C.A. Hardmon, Allen McMullen, Keyla Cabret,

Harold Bryant, Archie Rainey, Greg Camp, James Wilson



Absent members: None



Visitors: Mayor Bob Poydasheff, Assistant Chief of Police, R.T. Boren



Recording Secretary: Mrs. Ann Bell, Administrative Specialist (9:30 a.m.).



Location: Ground floor Conference room of the Government Center.



Meeting began at 9:35 a.m.



MAYOR POYDASHEFF OPENS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY

COMMISSION:



Meeting opened with Mayor Poydasheff welcoming everyone to the first meeting of

the Public Safety Advisory Commission. He went on to express his approval and

excitement for this first commission of its kind.



Mayor Poydasheff administered the oath of the commission. He then signed the

Certificates of Appointment and they were handed out to the commission members.



A question regarding the term length of the each commission member was brought

up by Assistant Chief Boren. Mayor Poydasheff explained there were one (1) and

three (3) year terms.



The Mayor stated he had to leave, but wanted everyone to understand that he has

an open-door policy. If anyone ever has any questions or concerns, they are

encouraged to call his office.



Mayor Poydasheff turned the meeting over to Councilor Anthony. They Mayor left

at 9:45 a.m.



COUNCILOR ANTHONY DISCUSSES THE PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION MISSION:



Councilor Anthony took over the meeting. He gave a summary of the commission?s

mission; one, to partner with public safety and their families, an advocate for

them, and two, the safety of the public number one priority. The commission

needs into proactive and creative ways on how to improve the city from a safety

standpoint. The commission will need to anticipate public safety needs and

make recommendations to help public safety. Public safety officials need to

come to the commission before going out to the public with their needs.

Councilor Anthony?s vision is for someday there is a full year without murder,

drip in drug activity, and Columbus be a city where crime is not an issue.



INDIVIDUAL STATEMENTS AND COLLECTIVE DISCUSSIONS OCCUR IN REFERENCE TO THE

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION OBJECTIVE AND INTRODUCTIONS WERE MADE:



Councilor Anthony opens the floor for questions.



Harold Bryant recommends that the first meeting concentrates on a strengths and

weakness analysis.



Councilor Anthony introduces Assistant Chief Boren. Chief Boren introduces

himself and mentions his new appointment to Chief of Police. Chief Boren

recommended the commission come to the police department to get a feel for

police work such as the officers stresses, manpower issues, etcetera, as

Leadership Columbus has done. Chief Boren also mentions the one-cent sales tax

needing to be passed. He also made mention that Columbus Police Department is

last in pay scales; a marketable package needs to be put together to recruit

new officers. Chief Boren mentioned working proactive policing, building a

heavy street enforcement, build up TACT unit to keep from having to pull from

special squads like TACT to answer regular calls.



Greg Camp suggested having a Public Safety Day for the members to visit each

department such as the Fire Department, the Marshal?s office, Sheriff?s

Department, etcetera.



Archie Rainey requested all members receive a copy of the police department?s

policy and procedures, a copy of the CALEA standards, and a copy of the State

Certification standards. Chief Boren said he would look into that.



Councilor Anthony handed out a copy of the Commission?s Ordinance. He then

suggested the commission select a meeting schedule and location. Chief Boren

suggested the Public Safety building and Archie Rainey said he could host a few

of the meetings at the college, if needed. The commission selected the first

Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Community Room of the Public Safety

building, beginning next week, Wednesday, November 3rd.



A member suggested the Public Safety Day orientation be held in November first,

before the next meeting. Chief Boren mentioned the School of America?s Protest

is scheduled for November and the department would be busy concentrating on

preparation for the protest.



Greg Camp suggested having the meeting in November and everyone bring their

calendars to setup Public Safety Day.



Councilor Anthony suggested electing officers. Instead, he decided to go

around and have members introduce themselves first and elect officers at the

next meeting.



Meeting ended at 10:25 a.m.







Ann Bell

Administrative Specialist, III

Recording Secretary